How Many?
KellenCoin
Posts: 1,215 ✭✭✭✭
Hey guys!
I am a YN, and as such have limited resources to attend physical numismatic events. However, I have been fortunate to attend a total of 5 shows. Three of them have been local, and as such I will not share the name for my safety. However, I have also attended the National Money Show in Portland in 2015 and the World's Fair of Money in Anaheim in 2016.
So, while I was recounting my memories of these shows, I started wondering; what shows have you been to, how many shows have you been to total, and what shows do you want to attend? Let me know in the comments below.
My Personal Stats
5 shows total
2 national, 3 local
National Ones:
National Money Show, Portland Oregon, 2015
World's Fair of Money, Anaheim California, 2016
Shows I Want to Attend
FUN Show
Baltimore/Whitman Expo
CSNS Convention
PS: For those of you who have attended a lot of conventions, good luck! 
CCAC Representative of the General Public
Columnist for The Numismatist
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
Comments
I have attended many, many shows over the years, but I'm old. As for big shows I often make the three Baltimore shows and the two FUN shows. Summer FUN is more like regional show, but it can yield some good material.
I am glad that you are going to shows at your age. Too many people never go to shows and think they can learn everything on the Internet. You need to see coins in person to get good at grading. Photos are only a beginning.
I have also attended many shows over the years. My first major one was an ANA convention held in Miami Beach, FL (1967). I was 10 at that time. So, yes, I am an old fart.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I have attended over 200 shows. I have been to every summer ANA since 1970. I have only missed 3 Fun shows since 1973. A lot of CSNS shows since 1974. A lot of state ,regional and local shows. I always look forward to the next show.
I have attended too many shows in the last 40 or so years to count: ANA, Whitman, NYINC, FUN, GSNA, annual club and monthly local. They are the best venue to see coins and talk to numismatists. I can't wait for the next one.
Kellen, I've been to so many shows I couldn't even begin to count them.
Nothing replaces going to a show and the contacts you make while you're there.
I've only done FUN once, been to most of the Central States shows, most local/regional shows, large and small.
It's the personal interaction and viewing/looking through coins, talking, haggling that's the best part.
No internet activity can replace the feeling of a real coin show.
I hope you will still have a passion for coins when you're old and gray like me!
Hey, nothing wrong with old farts.
They don't stink as much as fresh ones do!
KellenCoin, just out of curiosity; Why do you think your "safety" would be in jeopardy if you named the local shows that you have attended?
Make an effort to "connect" and actually get the attention and Ear of these dealers. Don't just pass by as a nameless faceless 'kid'. You know, there was once a kid who acted mature and "knew his stuff". Eventually he grew up. His name is Q. David Bowers.
Because I would like to keep the exact area in which I live relatively undetectable. Even though there is a fairly small risk, I still want to be as safe as possible.
CCAC Representative of the General Public
Columnist for The Numismatist
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
Yes, I maje a conscious effort to do that. I sit down with individual dealers and start a conversation, especially at the local shows. It is fascinatinf what you can learn. I have learned about everything from Boulton to large cents to lincoln medals from talking to dealers. I try to be engaging and coherent, and I often find dealers ask me for my email so we can continue the conversation. I attempt to read up on the topics so that next time I see the dealer, I can make my conversation even better.
CCAC Representative of the General Public
Columnist for The Numismatist
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
Many, many shows.... None since I retired and moved East..... I would like to go to Winter Fun though...never been to that one.... Cheers, RickO
I'm a newbie as well and have been looking for a show to go to as I have never been to one. I'm also looking for a local show and or club to go to regularly. Looking forward to the knowledge that can be learned.
I have probably been to 15 or 20 shows, but only one US show: the 2016 Winter FUN. That put every other show I'd been to to shame. I have also been to the Frankfurt show. I mainly go to local shows in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. I am relatively young (no offence to all the more "experienced" members of this forum) and wholeheartedly agree with the comments above: make a name for yourself. Talk to dealers, ask them questions, pick up business cards and hand them out (get some if you don't have already). These shows are crucial to developing your network and networking skills. And they're fun!
Dealing in Canadian and American coins and historical medals.
Too many to list but I love any ANA money show I can make. Along with any small coin show I can locate within an hour or so drive. Many shows I've attended is in Sacramento or the San Francisco Bay Area. A long drive for me.
@CyndieChildress Childress said, I'm a newbie as well and have been looking for a show to go to as I have never been to one. I'm also looking for a local show and or club to go to regularly. Looking forward to the knowledge that can be learned.
While it's not the main topic of this thread, I'll suggest that joining regional and national numismatic clubs and organizations can be a great tool for learning and getting to know other collectors. I did this for many years before attending my first large coin show, and have remained a member of a large number of clubs and organizations. I have learned a lot from the club / organizational Journals, and have met and corresponded with a lot of collectors and dealers with similar interests.
Most of these clubs and organizations also have websites. Some also have free weekly electronic newsletters, for example E-Sylum and JR News.
I don't know what general area you live in or what your collecting interests are (to recommend clubs or show), but you can join and participate in these clubs / organizations from anywhere.
Some numismatic websites are educational also. Good luck and enjoy the hobby!
W. David Perkins Numismatics - http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/ - 25+ Years ANA, ANS, NLG, NBS, LM JRCS, LSCC, EAC, TAMS, LM CWTS, CSNS, FUN
Thank you for the information.!.!
I'm in northern CA and inherited a share of my grandfathers coin collection. Looking to gain any knowledge
@CyndieChildress said, Thank you for the information.!.!
I'm in northern CA and inherited a share of my grandfathers coin collection. Looking to gain any knowledge.
You're welcome!
Is you grandfather's collection concentrated in any one series or type of coins? Or are there a lot of different types of coins in the collection you inherited? If it is a lot of different types, it may be worth investing in a general reference book or two.
W. David Perkins Numismatics - http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/ - 25+ Years ANA, ANS, NLG, NBS, LM JRCS, LSCC, EAC, TAMS, LM CWTS, CSNS, FUN
I just bought the 2017 Redbook
Good start (buying the 2017 Red Book)!
W. David Perkins Numismatics - http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/ - 25+ Years ANA, ANS, NLG, NBS, LM JRCS, LSCC, EAC, TAMS, LM CWTS, CSNS, FUN
You're way ahead of me on shows, keep it up !
I have been to probably a dozen local shows and not one National in 70+ years.
Bucket list?
bob:)
You have to go the ANA summer show one time Bob. It will amaze you if you've never been to a national show. Make a trip out of it and you will have a blast.
Am I the only one who sees through all of this? It's lonely at the top.
What do you mean?
CCAC Representative of the General Public
Columnist for The Numismatist
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
O.k., I'll take the bait. Only because I'm not worried about my safety. In fact I'm not worried about anything. So.....you're worried about your safety if you were to reveal the locations of the shows you've attended. Yet you want others to tell you what shows they've attended. Aren't you worried about their safety? Also...Fascinatinf?, Boulton?, etc. I wait until Friday night to start my weekend. I suggest others do the same.
HELLO? Anybody there? Crickets.
how many shows have you been to total?
None...
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Hey, Aspie_Rocco, think of all the money you've saved. Not a bad deal.....AND, unlike some people you didn't have to tell any dealers what your Email address was. That alone will enhance your safety in the long run. It's a win win situation. Congratulations!
I live in Ventura County California, I'll give a (coin) dealer my email address, if they have some Jeffersons for me!
I'll work up the gusto and bank roll to go to Long Beach someday.
I guess I have saved on not going to any shows yet, I do go to the eBay coin show everyday and eye hump new listings. Spent a small fortune there instead, lol.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Aspie, Jefferson nickels are my weakness too. So I can relate. But, you know, Ventura County is really not that far from Long Beach. In fact, the last time I checked Ventura County actually borders Los Angeles County and Long Beach is in Los Angeles County. You can do it. You could walk to Long Beach from Ventura County. I've done it. You can too. You'll be safe. But don't give up too much info about your location, etc. Safety and all. By the way, I almost hate to ask, but what the hell does "eye hump" mean? Forget it. I do know what it means. HELP!!!!! PLEASE!!! HELP!!!!!
"Eye hump"?? Is that coin porn??
Cheers, RickO
Alright, I'll bite. Let's say you are the parent of a YN. S/he wants to go to coin shows and hang out on discussion boards with 'adults'.
Being a parent you do a bit of Google-fu and come up with the name Breen. A well known, respected numismatist and convicted child-sex offender, who, according to the internet, was a fixture at sci if and coin conventions and had access to victims there.
As a parent I would allow my offspring to participate on discussion boards and go to conventions as long as s/he maintained a bit of discretion regarding location. As a parent I would be aware of how grooming works and would consider this an important condition for allowing participation.
So I applaud a YN with the sense to have a bit of discretion that I do not feel is required of an adult. That said, many of us adults will also be a bit vague on location too and no one finds that odd. And as adults we have a bit more life experience and skills to know what, how much, and to whom we share with.
I see my entire response wasn't posted.
My grandfather collected US gold and silver coins. All pre 1964